River City will host marathon
After being dormant since 1990, the Kamloops Marathon is back.
At a press conference on Wednesday, April 25, the City of Kamloops and Thompson Rivers University announced the return of the 42-kilometre race to the Tournament Capital.
The two-day event, which will take place on July 28 and July 29, will feature five- and 10-kilometre races on Saturday, July 28, with the half-marathon and full marathon taking place on Sunday, July 29.
The 8 a.m. start on Saturday and 6 a.m. start on Sunday will get the competitors out early, before the famous Kamloops summer heat ramps up.
As presenting sponsor, the City of Kamloops is pleased to see a full marathon race returning to Kamloops.
“The extreme heat will be a good challenge for competitors,” Mayor Peter Milobar said.
According to Environment Canada, the average high temperature in Kamloops on July 29 is 29 C, with the average mean temperature being 21 C.
Last year, the thermometre in Kamloops on July 29 hit a high of 28.2 C.
The record high for the date is 37.6 C in 1998.
The event will help support the university’s cross-country running team, as well as attract high-level runners to Kamloops.
Competitors from B.C., Alberta and the U.S. Pacific Northwest are expected to take part.
TRU president Alan Shaver said proceeds from the weekend of running will create scholarships and bursaries for TRU students.
The five- and 10-kilometre races will start at Hillside Stadium and meander through the TRU campus.
The 21-kilometre half-marathon and 42-kilometre full marathon will start at 6 a.m. on McArthur Island, head north to Singh St., travel along Ord Rd, then north on Westsyde Road, into Westsyde Park and along the Rivers Trail, before looping back at The Dunes Golf Course, along Rivers Trail, across Overlanders Bridge, continuing along the Rivers Trail on the south shore, then loop back near the Yellowhead Bridge on River Street, cross again Overlanders Bridge and finish at McArthur Island.
Fees to take part are $35 for the five- and 10-kilometre races, $45 for the half-marathon and $65 for the full marathon.
To register for the event, go online to kamloopsmarathon.com.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.